Wednesday, October 21, 2015

10.21.2015: Seoul Olympic Park

Today I was on my own again, ready to do some more exploring.  Vince and Mark headed to the show about 8am, and I headed down for my brunch in the hotel.  Wasn't too sure what I had in store for me yet, as I hadn't decided what I wanted to check out yet.  So, while I ate and people watched, I did some research.  I really wanted to see the Olympic Park while I was here, so figured today was a good day as any! 
 
I actually spent the morning trying to figure out how to get to the DMZ tomorrow.  I REALLY wanted to go on a tour there, but they were closed on Thurs for military exercises, and we couldn't go Friday. 
 
Oh well....after a frustrating morning of that, I hopped in a taxi towards Olympic Park.  The Olympics were held here in 1988.  Since then, they have created a very beautiful area of the grounds that housed some of the events.  The "park" itself is HUGE.  There are expansive walking & running trails through the grounds, with a river running through the center of it.  There are benches and ample picnic areas all over.  The city spent a lot of money creating and maintaining these grounds.  I spent all day here.  I walked around the main area, then through one of the museums - where there were strange toilets with remote controls on them which I was afraid to use! - then walked the other side of the river and through the "forest".  It was soooo pretty!!  I was in awe the whole time, just reflecting on how different it is here than I imagined.  
 





Olympic Flame




Rocks brought from each country that participated











 

These toilets are pretty high end!!
 





Loved this...it is called "Dialogue"






 
 




In the median of the street which deadends into the park are all these amazing sculptures.  Each one depicts a different event from the Olympics.

Shot Put

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